Page 69 of Rhett

“Hi. Can you help my dad out to the car?”

“Yes. Of course.”

“Don’t. Need. Help,” Dad says, but I don’t argue, don’t speak to him at all, and he lets her take his arm and lead him out of the house.

I close the door behind them, then pull out my phone and go to my list. Below today’s date, I write:free.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Tripp

When I arriveat Rhett’s place, it takes him a moment to answer the door. I’m excited about tonight, excited to spend timeoutwith him, even though I can’t claim him publicly yet. I’m hoping that will change soon. And even more important is the fact that he’ll be spending time with Morgan and East. The three of them need that, and I’m so fucking grateful that I get to be a part of it.

As soon as the door opens, I can tell something’s wrong. “What happened?” I ask, stepping inside.

Rhett looks slightly dazed.

“Baby, what happened?” I ask again, closing the door behind me and taking his face in my hands, feeling the scratch of his stubble against my palms.

Something about what I said seems to snap him out of his trance. “My dad came by. You just missed him.”

My heart sinks, and every muscle in my body tightens. That motherfucker doesn’t deserve to breathe the same air as Rhett and his brothers, and I can’t help wishing I’d been here for him, that I could have stood by Rhett’s side when he dealt with Gregory.

“Shit. I’m sorry.” I take my jacket off, then lead him to the couch. “Is everything okay?”

We sit down, and again, it takes Rhett a moment to speak. He rubs his hands up and down his jean-covered thighs. “He started with his typical shit—saying he made me, insinuating I’m nothing without him. He said Morgan and East don’t love me, that they’re manipulating me. He blamed it on Morgan, thenon East, and I just…couldn’t do it anymore. Don’t want to do it anymore. I’m so fucking tired of the way he makes me feel. I don’t deserve it.”

Hearing that makes me so proud of him. Months ago, hell, weeks ago, Rhett would have thought he did deserve it, would have found a way to blame himself, but that’s not him anymore. “No. You don’t. You never did. You deserve nothing but happiness. You deserve to be around people who love you and treat you well.”

He looks at me, brown eyes so damn sincere. “For the first time in my life, I believe that. I kicked him out. I told him he’s not worth it, and it’s like this weight I’ve been carrying fell off my shoulders, like I haven’t been able to breathe my whole life and now I can finally take in a deep breath. It’s incredible, but a little scary too.”

My heart nearly beats out of my chest. “Fuck, baby. I’m so proud of you.” I take his mouth with mine, but it’s Rhett who pushes his tongue between my lips first, Rhett who takes over the kiss, clearly hungry for something.

He eases forward, pushing me down to my back, and I go easily, Rhett coming down on top of me. He ruts against me while he devours my mouth, kisses me like my lips are all he needs in the world.

“It’s because of you,” he tells me, pressing his forehead against mine.

“No. It’s because of you.”

He smiles at me, the beauty of it knocking the breath out of me. I’m so fucking in love with this man.

“I want you to tease me before we go. Want you to bring me to the edge, but don’t let me come. Not until we’re home and in your bed tonight.”

Our bed, I want to correct him. I’m dying for it to beourbed. “That’s what you want? You don’t want to celebrate with an orgasm now?”

“No. Maybe it doesn’t make sense, but it gives me a kind of power to give that power over to you. Plus, I like making it last, drawing out the pleasure for as long as I can because I haven’t had enough of it in my life.”

The pieces click into place, and I like the sound of that. Like that for him, that he wants to make it last because it makes him feel good longer. “I want you to feel good for every second of the rest of your life.” I grin. “But for now, I’m going to make you suffer a little.” Pushing up slightly, I nip at his lip, and Rhett groans. “Sit up.”

He does as I say.

“Lube?” I ask.

“Upstairs in my nightstand.”

“Get those pants off, and I’ll be right back.”

I take the stairs two at a time, my dick already pulsing behind the fly of my jeans. Everything about Rhett turns me on.

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